Sending old MacBook batteries (NOT the entire computer) to Apple for recycling?

[usagora]

I have two completely defunct batteries from some 2008 MacBooks.

On the following Apple website page, they talk about recycling batteries:

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

However, when I go to actually request a shipping label to send them in for recycling, I don't see an option for just "batteries" (see screenshot below). Closest I can think to select would be "Power Cords & Cables" but I'm not sure if that would be ok. Anyone sent just batteries to Apple for recycling before? How did you categorize it?

 

[chscag]

I don't believe you can send batteries by themselves to Apple for recycling. At least I've never heard of doing it that way.

Don't know where you live but if there is a "Batteries Plus" store nearby they should be able to recycle old batteries for you. Otherwise try Best Buy as they are an authorized Apple Repair service.

 

[Sawday]

In the UK at unconnected batteries cannot be sent in the mail or with the usual couriers.

 

[usagora]

Hmm. I guess I don't see what difference it would make whether the battery is inside a computer or by itself (I've also ordered replacement batteries on eBay that get shipped to me by themselves...but I'm not in the UK). Guess I'll try the Batteries Plus idea.

Thanks!

 

[Obsoleet]

Lithium batteries are not supposed to be loaded onto commercial planes without permission. A fair amount of mail gets loaded onto commercial aircraft.

 

[chscag]

I don't off hand remember if it was FedEx or another cargo carrier... but some years ago a fire which was started from Lithium batteries on board brought an aircraft down. It was a cargo version of a 747 and the entire crew was lost. The aircraft was flying out of a Middle Eastern airport.

 

[MacInWin]

It was a Fedex cargo plane. Now lithium batteries can only go ground unless in a system with protective circuits and/or in an approved fireproof container. So Apple can, for example, fly hardware from China to the US with lithium batteries inside because it's in a device, but bare batteries have to be specially handled. Most arrive by ship.